April 2, 2015 – Ottawa, ON – Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, and Brendan Sheppard, Chief of the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation, today announced the Government of Canada and the Federation of Newfoundland Indians (FNI) have doubled the number of members to the Qalipu Mi'kmaq Enrolment committee.
The new Enrolment Committee members will apply the same approach to reviewing the files in accordance the 2008 Agreement and the 2013 Supplemental Agreement. The additional four members continue to offer equal representation from the Mi'kmaq and the Government of Canada.
Further, the parties have agreed to extend the deadline for the Enrolment Committee to review the 94,000 eligible applications for enrolment in the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation. The new deadline for completion of the review process will be June 30, 2016 and, as a result, the deadline for completion of the appeals process will be January 31, 2017.
The extension will ensure that the decisions rendered by the Enrolment Committee on eligibility will be the result of a sound, equitable and a rigorous process of evaluation.
Canada and the Federation of Newfoundland Indians are committed to ensuring that all applicants for membership in the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation are treated fairly and equitably. When the enrolment process concludes, applicants will be notified by mail with regard to their eligibility.
Emily Hillstrom
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
819-997-0002
Media Relations
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
819-953-1160
Follow us on Twitter: @AANDCanada
